Hiking between Jinshanling and Simatai is one of the most popular Great Wall hikes. Hopefully these answers to frequently asked questions will be helpful to those planning to do the hike.
What's the hike like?
It's a wonderful adventure and a reasonably strenuous undertaking. The scenery is fantastic and the Great Wall itself is beyond belief. If you get the chance to do this hike, you will remember it for a long time.
How to get there and back?
It's easiest to find a taxi that will take you to your starting point and then pick you up at your end point and return you to Beijing. You could also take a bus to Gubeikou and find local taxis from there if you want to save some money. Buses between Beijing and Chengde go through Gubeikou and there are always local taxis at the main bus stop in Gubeikou. Some hotels and other organizations offer group tours as well. Transportation will be about 2 to 3 hours each way depending on where you are in Bejing.
Jinshanling to Simatai, or Simatai to Jinshanling?
Jinshanling to Simatai seems to be somewhat more popular, but each direction has its pros and cons. One nice thing about going from Jinshanling to Simatai is that, once you reach Simatai, you can decide whether you want to climb up the Simatai ridge once you arrive there, depending on your fatigue level and available time. It's also easier to find transportation from Simatai if you don't have pre-arranged transportation, although as time goes by and Jinshanling becomes more and more popular, this is becoming less of an issue.
What are the costs?
In addition to transportation costs, you will need to pay for ¥50 RMB tickets for both Jinshanling and Simatai. If you plan to ride cable cars, you will pay about ¥50 RMB each for one-way rides. And if you want to cross over the bridge, you may be charged about ¥10. Plus, of course, costs for hotels, restaurants, refreshments, souvenirs, etc.
How difficult is the hike?
You need to be in good physical condition to complete this hike. There are thousands of steps and some of them are steep. When you aren't on the steps you're still climbing up and down; there are few level areas. Due to the long and steep inclines, the hike is dangerous and you should be careful. However, there is no actual climbing and you don't need any special equipment or climbing experience.
Can I make it in my physical condition?
If you are unsure, consider starting at Jinshanling and heading towards Simatai. Monitor yourself and be willing to turn around before you reach the half way point if you have any doubts at all. Even if you return to Jinshanling rather than going all the way to Simatai, you will have a great experience with less stress.
How long will the hike take?
Plan on four to six hours of hiking all told, depending on your exact route and speed. Also plan to spend some time exploring at each end of the hike if possible.
Jinshanling map
Red paths: Great Wall, blue paths: foot paths, yellow line: cable car
Look at the maps in this post to see where you can access the Wall at Jinshanling and Simatai. I recommend hiking all the way through Jinshanling so that you can reach Xiwuyanlou (A on the Jinshanling map) at the west end of Jinshanling at the beginning or end of your hike, and then turning around. This is a world-famous photo spot and when you look east toward Simatai from here you will see why. In this case you will use the Zhuanduokou pass tower as your entrance / exit point.
What should I bring with me?
Bring food and plenty of water. Wear good hiking shoes or boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Also wear a hat and/or sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Bring your camera. And bring some money for tickets and other expenses.
Will I get lost?
Not likely. The route is easy to follow. If you study the maps in this post before you go then you won't have any problems. Be aware that the parking lot for Jinshanling is on the north side of the Wall, and the parking lot for Simatai is on the south side, as this can be confusing.
Simatai map
Red paths: Great Wall, blue or black paths: foot paths, yellow line: cable car, green path: trail
This depends on when you go. If it's a holiday and the weather is good, you should expect crowds. If it's very cold then you may not see many people. To minimize crowds, go during the week instead of the weekend. Avoid holidays. Try to hike as early in the day as possible.
Are there hotels in the area?
Yes there are
hotels at Jinshanling and
hotels at Simatai.
Are there restaurants in the area?
Yes, there are restaurants at both Jinshanling and Simatai.
Are there restrooms?
Yes, there are restrooms at both Jinshanling and Simatai. There are none in between, so be aware.
Overall route
Yellow rectangles indicate areas of detailed maps
At the center of this map is the border between Jinshanling and Simatai. All hikers must buy tickets in this area.
Local vendors will try to walk along with you. They will offer to carry your pack and eventually they will try to sell you food, drinks, or souvenirs. Just treat them with respect and they will treat you the same. Most of them speak a little bit of English. They understand "no thanks" but that won't keep them from pulling additional T-shirts and books and postcards from their packs and quoting you a price about 5 times higher than they will actually accept. You are not obligated to buy from them.
What's the weather like?
Hot and rainy in the summer and cold in the winter. Pleasant in the Spring and especially in the Fall. The Great Wall follows mountain ridges and therefore it can be very windy.
When is the best time to visit?
See
Best time to visit the Great Wall of China.
Should I go if it rains?
No. Wait for better weather.
Will my cell phone work?
Yes. Don't use it, though, in case of lightning or thunderstorms.
Where can I get the best photos?
With the impressive Great Wall and the beautiful scenery, you will probably find this one of the most photogenic areas you have ever seen. Both detail and panoramic photos here are a good idea. The best panoramas are of course from high points, of which there are many. As usual, the best light can be found at sunrise and sunset. A wide-angle lens is very helpful for Great Wall photography.
Can this hike be extended?
Yes. Hiking to the east beyond tower 12 at Simatai isn't recommended or allowed, but hiking to the west beyong Jinshanling to
Gubeikou is very possible. If you're interested in this possibility, start your hike at Simatai or Gubeikou and hike to Jinshanling. You could plan to spend the night at Jinshanling. While it's possible to hike the entire distance in one day, we recommend taking two days.
Where can I find more information on Jinshanling and Simatai?
Jinshanling Forum
Simatai Forum
Jinshanling Review
Simatai Review
Detailed map of the Great Wall around Beijing